TEOFIMO Lopez will soon have a new challenger waiting in line after a WBO communication ordered him to defend his world super-lightweight title against the winner of Jack Catterall vs. Arnold Barboza. That contest takes place on February 15 in the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri attempted to clear the situation further with this Twitter/X post shortly after the official message had been conveyed.
At an earlier event, Catterall’s promoter, Eddie Hearn and Barboza’s representative, Oscar De La Hoya, discussed the fight on DAZN along with the matter of the WBO title, hinting that a little squeeze might be put on Lopez to decide what he wants to do.
Catterall and Barboza will fight for the interim belt, which will effectively place the winner in that mandatory position for a Teo tilt or an inheritance were he to vacate. Lopez won the title in 2023, defeating Josh Taylor on points.
He followed that up with a defence in February 2024 against Jamaine Ortiz. The last time Teofimo was seen in the ring was a second defence, beating Steve Claggett on points in Florida.
Lopez was said to be negotiating a deal with Subriel Matias, but that hit the skids. ‘The Takeover’ has been embroiled in public contract conflict with his promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank.
Lopez will have 180 days to defend the 140-pound belt against the winner of Catterall-Barboza. Bob Arum, Eddie Hearn and Eric Gomez were all notified in the open email.
